This article presents a solar-inverter driven single phase induction motor (IM) drive by utilizing a reduced switch multi-string cross-connected source type multi-level inverter (CCS-MLI) for water pump application. Photovoltaic (PV) system has been integrated with water pumping system through DC-DC converter with maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to improve system reliability. This is more suited to developing nations like India, where electrical power consumption is increasing, and agriculture is a major source of income for many Indians. A 13-level CCS-MLI is used to control the power between PV panels and single-phase IM. To achieve 13-level the inverter employs only eight switches while switched asymmetrically. Control of frequency, fundamental component and total harmonic distortion (THD) at the output voltage is realized with multicarrier pulse width modulation (MCPWM). The fundamental challenge with solar-powered drive systems is maintaining the drive’s intended operation when the PV array’s power generation varies. In addition to maintaining power quality, the proposed control technique establishes V/ f control of single-phase IM and ensures stable operation of the drive system under unpredictable environmental conditions. Furthermore, the proposed scheme is simulated in MATLAB with 1.6 KW PV panel and drive performance is verified with changing environmental condition.